Viewtiful Joe

Game review by Jeremy Gieske, Common Sense Media
Viewtiful Joe Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Stylish action game is for mature players.

Nintendo GameCube 2004
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Parents say

not rated for age

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

not rated for age

Based on 1 review

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this game.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that there's a significant amount of violence and suggestive material -- background images on some levels include ads for XXX shows, strippers, nearly topless women, etc. Also, strobe-like flashing effects and the style of the animation may be difficult to watch -- parents should read the precautions listed for players prone to seizures.

Community Reviews

m0nde
m0nde Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

Great for teens

Though, Viewtiful Joe has two modes, one suitable for younger kids and one for older, teens, the game defaults to the second mode which contains elements that some concerned parents may have issues with. That said, the game is visually stunning and game play is both fun and interesting. Try the game with your kids.
voiceofreason
voiceofreason Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

An excellent return to classic gaming, though the difficulty level is high.

In my humble opinion, Viewtiful Joe is one of the best games available for the GameCube. It is a return to old-school, two-dimensional platforming that is a joy to watch and play. Joe's VFX powers (Slow, Mach Speed, and Zoom) make the gameplay suprisingly deep, and the comic book graphics look great. However, this game is not designed for young children. Besides the mild cartoon violence and suggestive themes (one of the characters is named "Sexy Sylvia, for obvious reasons), the difficulty level is very high compared to many recent games, and many young gamers will likely get turned off quickly by the fact that they can and will lose lives many times. Overall, however, this is a fun game with a high replay value and amusing story. A worthy buy.
See all 3 parent reviews

What’s It About?

VIEWTIFUL JOE infuses comic book storytelling with high-octane action. As the hero, you are Joe, an average guy with a passion for superhero movies and your girlfriend, Sylvia. But one day, fiction becomes reality as Sylvia is kidnapped and pulled through the movie screen into a different reality. Leaping to her rescue, you are pulled into the movie as well. Saving her will not be easy, but you are aided by the training of Joe's favorite hero, Captain Blue, who encourages you to fight for justice and good.

As you progress through the early levels of the game, Captain Blue helps you develop your superhuman powers, called \"VFX\" power. Slow down and speed up time to deliver powerful combinations against your enemies. And there are a lot of enemies -- battles become more and more intense as the game develops. Although the game does utilize puzzles and has some unique ways of involving combat into solving these puzzles, there is a significant amount of fighting.

Is It Any Good?

The enemies in Viewtiful Joe are distinctly not human, and blood is not a factor. Most enemies appear as half-built robotic creatures; as they are attacked they begin to disintegrate. Parents may want to watch out for the almost subconscious suggestive themes: In the background of the second level are advertisements for strippers and XXX clubs with nearly topless women on billboards.

On a technical level Viewtiful Joe is inventive and classy -- with a unique style of animation and a great soundtrack, Joe looks good and plays well. However, at times the strobe-like flashing effects and the style of the animation may be difficult to watch. The game controls are well thought out and easy to learn, and in-game tutorials help players learn the controls as they play.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the differences between movies and real life. Have you ever fantasized about becoming part of a movie? Which one, and why?

Game Details

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